WEATHER AND FRUIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 14

WEATHER AND FRUIT

HOPES FOR FINE SPELL SUPPLIES STILL RIPENING PROSPECTS FOR TOMATOES The unfavourable weather that has been experienced in Auckland for over a. week lias come at an unfortunate time for fruitgrowers, and has considerably affected the supplies coming 011 to the market. However, the opinion was expressed by fruit merchants yesterday that, although the season as a whole is unlikely to he a good one, it cannot be said at this stage that it will bo much "worse than usual.

As an instance, it was stated, the position for strawberries had appeared hopeless in tho spring, as heavy rains had continued even to within a short time of the date when the first crops are usually picked, but periods of fine weather, interspersed with warm rain, that followed, had been favourable to growth, and, although last week's storm had brought tho crop almost to an end, the results of the season had been estimated at 70 per cent of tho previous one, a figure that had not been Imped for earlier. Large Element- of Risk It was pointed out that although the year has been unfavourable for growers 011 account of root drowning during the winter and damage to fruit later by rain, there is always a very largo element of risk in soft fruit, and in most cases several kinds are grown to guard against failure in any particular line. Tho plum season has definitely been a light one and supplies have been affected recently by bad weather. Peaches also have suffered and fruit has been brought forward in considerable quantity before it was ripe, to avoid ripe rot. All fruit crops are late this season, however, and only two varieties of peaches, Wiggins and Carmen, have ripened as yet. Most orchardists plant several varieties and, with improved conditions, there should be plenty of good fruit reaching the market. No Shortage Anticipated Tomatoes have been badly cracked by the rain in the last week, but there ore always more grown than required for table use in order to supply factories, and, although the anantity is temporarily restricted, there is not likely to be any shortage when lino weather is experienced. Black currants and raspberries cannot be picked in the rain, and as a result, practically none have come forward this week, and considerable quantities have gone to waste on the bushes, but with a period of fine weather plenty should be available. Eating apples are not yet coming on tho market in any quantity, but supplies should become heavier in 10 days or a fortnight.